The Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos on Sunday night — and FIFA president Gianni Infantino was quick to step in.
Infantino condemned what he called “unacceptable scenes” after several Senegal players walked off the pitch in protest during the closing stages of their AFCON final win over Morocco on Sunday, following the award of a controversial late penalty.
“We strongly condemn the behaviour of some supporters as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff members,” Infantino said in a statement. “It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner. Violence cannot be tolerated in our sport.”
The flashpoint came deep into injury time with the final locked at 0-0, when Morocco were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR
review for a challenge on Brahim Diaz.
Furious Senegal players surrounded officials before most of them walked off the pitch in protest.
Senegal’s manager Pape Thiaw told his players to walk off the field in the AFCON final after VAR awarded a penalty to Morocco in stoppage time.
Clear Video of Senegals Manager pic.twitter.com/FZ1wu05HNA— Jeffrey Stacks 🦁 (@stacksblog1) January 18, 2026
Only Sadio Mane, Senegal’s former Liverpool star, remained on the field, urging his teammates to return so the match could continue. Senegalese anger had already been simmering after a goal at the other end was disallowed minutes earlier for what appeared to be a soft foul.
This was a special moment, when the Senegal team staged a walk off.
Sadio Mané urged them to return to the field of play and finish the game to face a last-minute penalty.
The rest? History… 🇸🇳🏆
— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz_KO) January 18, 2026
The situation spilled into the stands, where some Senegal fans attempted to enter the pitch and clashed with security personnel.
Thumps up to the Senegal fans for standing up for themselves against the flagrant foolishness and favoritism of CAF. Nigerians would have complained only on Twitter pic.twitter.com/wes5OTMQQA
— Dr Penking™ (@drpenking) January 18, 2026
The match was halted for nearly 20 minutes before Diaz finally took the penalty: a weak panenka that was comfortably saved by Edouard Mendy.
CHAOS AT AFCON🤯
Senegal have a goal disallowed in injury time.
Minutes later Morocco are awarded a penalty.
Senegal players walk off in protest😡Brahim Diaz decides this is the best moment for a Panenka😬
Senegal now lead 1-0 in extra-time
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) January 18, 2026
The drama was not over. In the fourth minute of extra time, Pape Gueye struck a stunning winner to seal a 1-0 victory for Senegal — a historic triumph overshadowed by controversy.
While congratulating Morocco on “a fantastic tournament” as runners-up and hosts — with an eye on their role as 2030 World Cup co-hosts — Infantino stressed that teams must respect officials’ decisions.
“We must always respect the decisions taken by match officials,” he said. “Anything less puts the very essence of football at risk.”
Infantino added that the images sent the wrong message to fans worldwide and called on CAF’s disciplinary bodies to take action, insisting the scenes “must never be repeated.”
(with AFP inputs)
